This is the second in what will be a series focusing on the top 10 at each position. We led off with centers in the first column and following this article will be left wings, defensemen and goalies, all handled by with Jason Chin. Unlike other lists that may focus on what the pivotman not only does on the ice, but between the dots and in his own zone, our primary driver here is how these individuals rank from a fantasy perspective. Where germane, we most certainly will highlight the non-scoring aspects that the player brings to the table that tell the whole story, but that is a secondary aspect to where he sits on the list. In addition, injuries impacted the list with those pushed down or off the list due to the amount of time they will be sidelined noted in the column.
1. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning:
If any question existed who the top right winger in the league was, Kucherov answered that question last season. He notched 37 goals and 121 points in 78 games. That was his third consecutive campaign of at least 110 points and the third time in his career that he's breached the 120-point mark. Kucherov sits six points shy of 1,000 for his career in just 803 contests. The Future Hall of Famer seems to get better with age, posting 447 points in 298 games since he came back to action after missing all the 2019-20 campaign.
2. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins:
Rankings two through four are all fungible, as you can separate each with a needle. This season, Pasta lands in this spot after ranking fourth the prior year. Pasta could have easily been ranked first last season tallying 47 goals with 63 assists a year after he finished second in the NHL with 61 goals and tied for third with 113 points in 82 games for the Bruins. He slowed “a little,” said tongue-in-cheek, as he fell to 43 markers and 63 helpers for a Boston team that plummeted last season. His connection with Morgan Geekie and Elias Lindholm is tangible, so look for another big year from B’s first line right winger.
3. Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars:
Rantanen certainly received frequent flier miles last season, going from Colorado to Carolina and then to Dallas. All the movement did not help his production, as his 32 goals and 88 points in 82 campaigns represented his lowest offensive outputs since the shortened 2020-21 campaign. Rantanen no longer needs to worry where he will be, as is staying in Big D after signing an eight-year, $96 million contract extension with the Stars in March. Rantanen showed that he is still a force to be reckoned with, notching nine goals and 22 points in 18 playoff appearances.
4. Mitch Marner, Vegas Golden Knights:
Speaking on trades and new locations, Marner spent most of last year rumored to be heading to Vegas as a free agent after the season. This is one situation where smoke equaled fire, as Marner landed with the Knights on an eight-year, $96 million deal. All the chatter and focus in his hometown did little to adversely impact Marner on the ice, as he had 27 goals and a career-high 102 points in 81 regular-season contests. Last season was Marner’s fourth straight campaign with at least 25 goals and 85 points. Known more for his playmaking than scoring, look for a similar type of season from Marner on the Strip.
5. Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers
A regression was expected after Reinhart had a career year across the board in 2023-24. He set new highs in goals (57), points (94), power-play goals (27), power-play points (34), plus-minus (plus-29), short-handed goals (five), game-winning goals (11) and shots on goal (233). Reinhart’s “decline: to 39 markers and 42 helpers was partially due to the expected drop in shooting percentage from 24.3 to 18.3. If there was any concern with that fall, Reinhart showed again in the post-season it was not a worry, as he finished in a three-way tie for the team lead in points with 23 while also tying for second in postseason goals this year with 11
6. William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs
Part of the Core Four in Toronto, Nylander scored 40 goals for the third straight season but fell from 98 to 84 points. Nylander posted at least 80 points for the four straight season as well as 30 power-play points for the third time in four years, finishing second on the team. With Mitch Marner now in Vegas, additional reliance is to be placed on Nylander to raise his game, irrespective if he skates on top of second line. A rise in production is certainly in the cards, with a return to 90 points probable.
7. Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers:
Tkachuk’s placement at seven is subject to debate. How much do you discount a player whose production fell from 109 points in 2022-23 to 88 the following season while playing 80 games but plummeted the next year to 57 points due to missing 30 games. In addition, Tkachuk will be sidelined to December-ish this season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn hip adductor and sports hernia he suffered during the postseason. Now for the flip side, Tkachuk is one of the leaders of the Panthers and a key reason why they won back-to-back Cups. In addition, he will be counted on even more when he returns with Aleksander Barkov sidelined for the season.
8. Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils
Bratt just consistently produces with little fanfare. Maybe the Olympics will bring that, but based on availability, health and production, you could argue that Bratt is the best player on the Devils. Bratt reached a new career high in the 2024-25 campaign with 88 points, but he has also produced at least 20 goals and 70 points in each of the past four years. In addition, Bratt has increased his power-play production the last three seasons, going from 18 to 22 to 27 and 34 on the man-advantage.
9. Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
Boldy topped the 70-point barrier for the first time in his career in 2024-25. He also posted a career-best 46 assists while raising his overall production for the third straight season. Boldy’s increase occurred despite a drop in shooting percentage from 12.8 to 10.0 even though he had a career-best 271 shots on net. A regression based to the mean would result in a rise in lamplighters, which also could take place due to Kirill Kaprizov and Marco Rossi skating on his line.
10. Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings
Kempe has become a top-tier right winger. He tallied 65+ points for the third straight season, notching 35 goals for the second time in the last four seasons. In 2022-23, Kempe tallied a career-high 41 markers with 11 coming on the man-advantage. Kempe also has dished out 100+ hits four seasons in a row, adding to his value. Kempe is a fixture on the first line, both at even-strength and on the man-advantage. His production the last three seasons is a good baseline for his numbers.
Moved down due to injury: Zack Hyman, Edmonton Oilers
Honorable mention: Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres, Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings. Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes. Kirill Marchenko, Columbus Blue Jackets. Dylan Guenther, Utah Mammoth, Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis Blues.